Visit Tybee Island for the 2012 Sand Arts Festival

Every year, Tybee Island’s idyllic North Beach is transformed into a surreal landscape dotted with elaborate castles and wild creatures cast by the imaginations and creative skills of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) students. This is one of the most awesome annual events that happen here on Tybee Island, as well as one of the most popular and unique! Visitors and residents of Tybee come to sculpt their ideas into the sand or simply enjoy (and take pictures of) this spectacular event.

This year’s Sand Arts Festival is Friday, May 4th, from 10:00am – 4:00pm and the weather is expected to be a beautiful sunny mid-80’s day. If you are one of the many who will be competing for the prizes, registration is from 10:00am – 2:00pm, with judging from 3:00 – 4:00pm and awards presented at 4:00pm.

A panel of judges will select three winners in each category, awarding monetary prizes from $500 for first place to $200 for third place. I would absolutely recommend trying for a prize, who couldn’t use that much money for playing in the sand on a beautiful day?!!

The Sand Arts Festival is held along Tybee’s 5 miles of beach at North Beach because it’s the perfect location for for shelling, seeing dolphins, and viewing international ships as they travel to and from the Port of Savannah. Located at the mouth of the Savannah River and just steps from the 17th Street Inn, you can also see the Tybee Museum and Light Station, as well as plenty of birds at the popular Bird Viewing Area.

The five categories that will be judged are:

sand castles

sand sculptures (works at least 3 feet tall)

sand relief (3-D works)

Gray’s Reef best underwater creature

wind sculptures (3-D works that engage wind)

Click here to take a look at previous year’s photos of the amazing and one of a kind sand art created here on North Beach in Tybee Island.

Will you be participating or just soaking up the spectacle?

There is never a shortage of fun and things to do in Tybee so pack your bags and we’ll see you when you get here!

Contact us here at the 17th Street Inn for more information about staying with us, things to do on Tybee Island including dining, nightlife, beach activities, must see attractions and events, and any other questions you may have about the area! We would also love for you to connect with us on our Facebook Page.